Debrusk scores in return, Bruins beat Islanders

Jake Debrusk scored two minutes into his first game in six weeks, Trent Frederic had a pair of goals and Linus Ullmark stopped 26 shots to lead the Boston Bruins to a 6-2 victory over the New York Islanders on Saturday.

Nick Foligno, Patrice Bergeron and Pavel Zacha also scored for Boston, which has won four of its last five games to amass 89 points and the NHL'S best record.

Kyle Palmieri and Matt Martin scored and Semyon Varlamov made 21 saves for the Islanders.

Debrusk missed 17 games with hand and leg injuries after being hurt during the Jan. 2 Winter Classic, but returned to score a powerplay goal on his second

shift back.

HURRICANES 4, CAPITALS 1

Martin Necas had a goal and two assists to help Carolina win its first NHL Stadium Series outdoor game.

Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Paul Stastny and Teuvo Teravainen also scored for Carolina, which completed a three-game season sweep of their Metropolitan Division foe.

The game was held at Carter-finley Stadium, home to North Carolina State's college football team and across the street from Carolina's home ice at PNC Arena. Delayed two years because of COVID-19 attendance restrictions, the game drew a buzzing sellout crowd of 56,961 fans.

Tom Wilson scored midway through the third period for the Capitals, who suffered their fourth straight loss. The past three have come without captain and leading goal-scorer Alex Ovechkin, who is away after the death of his father.

DEVILS 5, PENGUINS 2

Nico Hischier had two goals and two assists, Vitek Vanecek made 29 saves and New Jersey breezed past Pittsburgh.

Dawson Mercer had a goal and an assist for the Devils. Jesper Bratt and Dougie Hamilton also scored for the Devils, while All-star center Jack Hughes had two assists in his return from a lowerbody injury.

Evgeni Malkin scored twice for Pittsburgh to reach the 20-goal plateau and Dustin Tokarski stopped 38 shots.

MAPLE LEAFS 5, CANADIENS 1

Michael Bunting scored twice, and Ryan O'reilly and Noel Acciari made their debut as Maple Leafs.

The forwards were acquired from the St. Louis Blues in a blockbuster threeteam trade late Friday — and were in the action just over 20 hours later.

Pierre Engvall, William Nylander and David Kampf scored for Toronto. Joseph Woll made 29 saves. Auston Matthews and Rasmus Sandin each picked up two assists.

BLUE JACKETS 4, STARS 1

Adam Boqvist broke a tie early in the third period and the last-place Columbus Blue Jackets put together consecutive victories for first time in more than two months.

Boqvist's goal was his second of the season, and Liam Foudy had the first regularseason goal of his career for the Blue Jackets, who successfully challenged two Dallas goals in the second period.

Ty Dellandrea scored the only Dallas goal unassisted, but the overturned goals were the story for the frustrated Stars, lost for the seventh time in nine games.

PREDATORS 7, PANTHERS 3

Tommy Novak scored twice and Roman Josi had a goal and two assists to lead Nashville over Florida.

Ryan Johansen had a goal and an assist and Matt Duchene, Colton Sissons and Yakov Trenin also scored for Nashville, which had lost three of its previous four.

Kevin Lankinen made 30 saves for the Predators, and Ryan Mcdonagh matched a career high with three assists.